Mystical Roo tried to kill me the other day. Death by stairs! 1800 of them to be precise. OK, so maybe Mystical Roo wasn't actually trying to kill me but I think he enjoyed my suffering. On the weekend we ventured up to the Blue Mountains, which are conveniently just an hour from Sydney. There are some beautiful areas of National Park with - yes, you guessed it - mountains but also rainforest. We decided we'd go on a walk and whilst walking is not normally an issue for me, climbing down a mountain and then up a mountain is. Mystical Roo wanted to tackle the Giant Stairway, which is 900 steps that take you from the top of the mountain to the bottom. My first cause for alarm was that the guidebook advised a high level of physical fitness was required to complete the walk. My second cause for alarm was the sheer steepness of the steps. My third cause for alarm was the number of people coming back up the steps who looked positively knackered. My fourth cause for alarm was being halfway down the mountain, legs shaking, realising the only way was up, or down, but either way involved more steps. I complain - and yes it was hard work - but it was spectacular. The views were incredible and once my head stopped spinning I was able to appreciate where we were. Once at the bottom we chose to walk through the rainforest and saw some gorgeous waterfalls. The best bit about this was that we didn't bump into another person. It was just me, Mystical Roo and the rainforest. A lyre bird put in an appearance at one point but he doesn't really count. I think the walk took us just under two hours and shockingly I made it down and back up again without having to resort to piggy back tactics. Unfortunately, in my unfit state, the last two days have been agony as my legs react to 1800 steps. Mystical Roo has been happily mocking me as I waddle around the house with stiff calves and thighs. He has no sympathy whatsoever.
